TRUCKEE, Calif. — A 35-year-old California Highway Patrol officer died Sunday after he was hit by an out-of-control vehicle this weekend on a snowy Interstate 80 near Truckee.

According to CHP, Officer Nathan Daniel Taylor was outside of his SUV Saturday afternoon investigating a single-vehicle traffic collision in the center divide of westbound I-80 at Castle Peak Road near Boreal Mountain Resort.

At about 2:25 p.m., while attempting to direct westbound traffic to veer into the right-hand slow lane and avoid the accident, he was struck by a vehicle driven by 19-year-old Ivy Soon Young Villnow of Truckee.

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According to CHP, Villnow lost control of her 1999 Nissan Pathfinder as she was approaching the wreck in the fast lane.

The highway was reportedly covered with light snow due to this weekend’s winter storm.

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“(Taylor) was projected several feet, landing face down in the center median snow ball,” officers said.

An off-duty EMT witnessed the collision and was the first to render aid to Taylor, according to CHP.

Taylor suffered major injuries and was transported to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, where he died Sunday night, according to CHP, while surrounded by family, friends and CHP colleagues.

“It is an incredibly sad day for Officer Taylor’s family, the CHP, and the state of California. The loss of an officer protecting our community is truly devastating,” CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said in a Monday morning statement. “I would personally like to thank all of our partners, including the medical staff who fought so hard on behalf of Officer Taylor. We ask for the public’s continued prayers, support, and trust as we go through this incredibly difficult time.”

According to CHP, Taylor — a Rocklin, Calif., native — had been an officer for almost six years, most recently working out of the department’s Gold Run Area Office.

Taylor is survived by a wife, three sons, both parents and two brothers, one of whom is a CHP officer assigned to the Clear Lake Area.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation, although drugs and alcohol are not suspected, officials said.

Villnow was not arrested for her role in the incident. Initial reports indicated she may be cited for disobeying traffic laws; whether or not she faces reckless driving or other negligence-related charges will be determined at the conclusion of the investigation.